Managing a fleet can be a challenge. Not only do fleet managers have to grapple with regulatory changes and the obligatory health and safety obligations, financing and regular maintenance checks are also part of the job. Top that off with economic uncertainty and the potential for staff layoffs and you’ve got a challenging task.
And while spreadsheets have long been the go-to if you’re managing a fleet, these have been replaced with a growing number of fleet management software options.
These sophisticated but simple systems help you keep a track of the entire fleet, from acquisition to disposal, and can be instrumental in reducing costs and improving efficiencies. And they make managing the complete lifecycle of a fleet far easier, with many able to be overseen from a mobile app.
The market is growing rapidly, with the global fleet management software market expected to reach $US50.09 billion by 2027.
These software options give fleet owners an overall picture of their vehicles. Most of the solutions on the market give transparency over maintenance requirements, average use, driver identity, repairs, fuel records and reasons for use. They also allow you to create tasks, assign drivers and set targets around when vehicles are returned.
Some systems on the market even offer predictive maintenance analytics, notifying fleet managers of upcoming service weeks in advance, allowing for scheduling and planning. In the COVID-19 era, being able to track who’s used the same vehicle will also prove to be an important risk-mitigation tool for businesses.
Some of the popular options on the market include: Ctrack, Coretex, Securatrak, Austracker, Webfleet, TigerFleet, FleetComplete, Smartfleet and Verizon Connect. Some options out there enable you to see a team’s location in real-time using GPS tracking solutions.
These tools also help managers streamline fleet operations and reduce costs, and they’re having a huge impact on the job. Whether you’re managing trucks, cars, vans or specialist equipment, fleet management systems enable you to reduce errors and bolster visibility of what could emerge as an issue within a fleet.
When considering the features you need in a fleet management system, check out the prices too, which start from around $30/month. Of course, there’s no ‘one size fits all’ services out there, so make the time to do your homework to find the right tool for you.
